(VOVworld) – 1,000 entrepreneurs, leaders of civilian organizations, and scholars gathered at the just-concluded 2016 UN Global Compact Leaders Summit to design business strategies to jump-start activities towards sustainable development goals as set out in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Summit unveiled a 5-year strategy called “Making global goals local business” which aims to drive business awareness and activities that support the achievement of the Goals by 2030.

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon (centre) chairs a meeting of the United Nations Global Compact Board. (Photo: UN)

In his opening remarks on Wednesday, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon stressed that achieving the aims of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development requires finding new ways of living that would end the suffering, discrimination, and lack of opportunity for billions of people around the world. He called on all stakeholders – from world leaders and chief executives, to educators and philanthropists – to work together in broader, deeper partnerships, adding that businesses everywhere are responsible for improving this world.